Alcaraz beats Sinner in entertaining Korea exhibition

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz defeated second-ranked Jannik Sinner in straight sets in a Korea exhibition match Saturday, as the two best players in men's tennis put on an entertaining show. Riding his big serves and powerful groundstrokes, Alcaraz prevailed 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) in front of some 12,000 fans at Inspire Arena in Incheon, just west of Seoul. This was the first appearance in Korea for both players and served as a tuneup for the Australian Open, the first major of the season that starts Jan. 18. Alcaraz, the 22-year-old from Spain, and Sinner, the 24-year-old hailing from Italy, have split the past eight Grand Slam singles over the past two years. The match provided a mix of high-quality, intense shotmaking and levity from both players, who drew oohs and aahs from the sellout crowd of about 15,000 with tweeners — between-the-legs shots — and other entertaining moments. Both players flashed finger hearts toward the stands and Sinner even brought out a boy from the stands to take his racket and play a few shots against Alcaraz during the second set. Alcaraz saved a break point to tak